How to Use This Book

There are many strategies you can use to get the most from this book, depending upon your experience with PCs and your preferred method of test preparation:

• The "rookie" reader ” If you're new to the PC technical field, start at the beginning and read to the end (including the chapters on CD). Chapters 1 “3 lay a solid foundation for later chapters. Don't forget to turn on your PC to read the CD chapters, view the study labs and hands-on exercises for each chapter, and install the glossary.

• The "do-it-yourself" reader ” Run, don't walk, to your favorite PC and fire it up to get access to the hands-on labs for each chapter on the CD. Turn to the matching chapter in the book for added insight into the labs and for additional ideas for experiments.

• The "just for review" reader ” Start with Chapter 1 to find out what you need to review, and then jump to the chapters and sections that cover the topics you need. Remember to use the study labs and glossary on the companion CD to complete your review.

• The "I know Windows, but not hardware" reader ” Concentrate on Chapters 1 “14 as well as 21 and 22. Use the hands-on labs on the companion CD to boost your confidence and skill level.

• The "I know hardware, but not Windows" reader ” After reading Chapters 1 and 3, dig into Chapters 15 “22. Use the hands-on labs on the companion CD to try the essential features of Windows.

No matter what type of reader you are, be sure to read Chapter 23 on the CD to master the test-taking process.